And the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”
Deuteronomy 31:23
Joshua is called by God to exhibit two remarkable character traits: strength and courage. In all the work of leading Israel to conquer Canaan, Joshua would need to show them both. God’s confidence in Joshua is strong: “you shall bring the people into the land.”
Exactly what is the source of such success? How could Joshua be strong and courageous? The answer is found in five one syllable words at the end of this charge that embue the command with the power of God: “I will be with you.”
Joshua was able to lead faith-filled people to do what a previous generation considered impossible in their doubts. And faith in the command and presence of God were crucial to that success. The command of God drove him as God commissioned him. The presence of God assured him as the tasks got more difficult. God’s peace is found in His presence: “I will be with you.”
And those five words are the source of encouragement from Jesus as well, Who commissioned us to take the gospel to the world, and ended His command to us with this assurance: “I am with you always.”
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